Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281

AUTHOR’S POV

Alina’s body trembled so violently she could barely breathe. The hand pressed firmly over her mouth felt impossibly heavy, the heat of it searing against her chilled skin. Her entire body went rigid, every muscle frozen under the weight of fear.

She didn’t dare scream. She didn’t even dare move. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure whoever it was could hear it hammering beneath her ribs.

The stranger’s grip was unyielding, too strong for her to even attempt to pry it off, and every second stretched unbearably long, until time itself felt like it was holding its breath.

Then, without warning, she was pulled backward. Her shoulder hit a solid chest, the scent of faint cologne and linen filled her nose just before she was dragged into a nearby room. The door clicked shut behind them, swallowing the corridor’s dim light and plunging them into darkness.

Her breath hitched sharply. She wanted to scream, to kick, but her body wouldn’t obey. Panic flooded her chest like cold

water.

“Please…” she whispered against the palm still pressed to her lips, her voice muffled and trembling. “Please don’t hurt me.”

A beat of silence passed. Then-

The light flicked on.

The brightness cut through the darkness so suddenly that she flinched, blinking rapidly as her eyes adjusted. The stranger’s hand slipped away from her mouth, but before she could even think to run,, he spun her around.

Her heart stopped.

“Damien?” Her voice cracked, disbelief and relief tangled together.

Standing before her was Damien, broad–shouldered and very annoying face, his expression halfway between guilt and barely contained laughter. His shoulders shook, his lips twitching as though holding in a laugh was physically painful.

Her expression morphed so quickly it could’ve been comical, terror melting into shock, then into unfiltered irritation. Her heart was still thudding, but now it pulsed with anger.

“What the hell, Damien!” she burst out, smacking his chest hard enough for the sound to echo. “Why would you do that?”

Damien winced dramatically, rubbing the spot she’d hit. “Do what?” He asked, his tone dripping with mock innocence.

“Scare me like that!” she exclaimed, eyes flashing. “I thought I was being abducted!”

That did it. Damien broke into full laughter…warm, rich, and annoyingly amused. It filled the small room, making her glower deepen.

“It wasn’t my fault you didn’t recognize my voice,” he said, between chuckles. “What were you doing sneaking around like that anyway…dressed like a spy in your own house?” He gestured to her outfit.

Alina’s glare faltered for the briefest moment. Her chest was still heaving, her heart trying to catch up. She looked away, her voice smaller now. “It was nothing. I was just… exploring.”

Damien’s brows rose, unimpressed. He folded his arms over his chest, his tone flat. “Exploring? At midnight?”

She bristled, defensive. “Yes.”

A single skeptical brow went up. “In silence, while crouching against walls, and avoiding every source of light?” He let out a low scoff. “Alina, you’re a terrible liar.”

“I’m not lying.” She shot back, though her voice lacked conviction.

He took a single step closer, his expression softening but his gaze steady. “Right,” he murmured, voice low, teasing but edged with something real. “You were just coincidentally sneaking toward the study with that ‘please don’t catch me‘ face.”

Her lips parted…caught and flustered. “Damien—”

He didn’t let her finish. “If you don’t want to tell me what you’re looking for, that’s fine,” he said quietly. “But don’t treat me like I’m dumb. I know when someone’s chasing answers.”

Something in his tone disarmed her. The teasing had faded, replaced by a quiet understanding that felt far too perceptive. Her chest tightened. He was right, and the truth of it left her momentarily speechless.

After a moment, he sighed, glancing toward the door. “Just be careful, alright? There’s a guard who patrols near the study. He won’t hesitate to raise the alarm if he sees anyone down there this late.”

He turned, as though to leave.

But her voice stopped him.

“Wait.”

Damien paused, his hand hovering near the doorknob.

She bit her lip, debating with herself. The safe choice was silence. But the safer choice had never gotten her the answers she needed. Damien had been nothing but good to her. He was a steady anchor when she faltered and kind to her when she least deserved it.

Maybe, just this once, she could trust him.

She exhaled slowly and met his gaze. “I was going to search for documents,” she said quietly. “About Lucius… and the man who’s responsible for ruining my life.”

His eyes softened. “I see.”

For a moment, the air between them shifted……less teasing and more of something unspoken. Then he nodded slowly, voice calm but firm. “Then we’ll do this right.”

Her brows knitted. “We?”

He gave a lopsided smile, the kind that was equal parts mischief and loyalty. “You didn’t think I was going to let you get caught, did you? But we can’t go through the main door of the study. No one’s allowed in there after dark…not even me.”

She hesitated. “Then what do we do?”

“Follow me.” He said, his tone suddenly sure.

Before she could second–guess, he reached out and took her hand. His grip was warm and steady in a way that anchored her as they slipped into the quiet corridor once more.

The halls felt different now. Every sound was sharper. The low hum of the sconces, the creak of the marble underfoot and the distant clink of a guard’s keys. Alina’s heart thudded faster each time they froze, pressing into shadows as footsteps echoed nearby.

Damien moved with silent confidence, his hand never leaving hers. His palm was rough, but his touch was gentle, a subtle reassurance she hadn’t realized she needed until now.

When the last patrol turned the corner, he gave her a faint nod, and they continued. Their steps were measured, synchronized. The longer they walked, the more she realized how vast the manor truly was at night its corridors winding endlessly, its walls breathing secrets untold.

Finally, Damien stopped before a tall, arched door.

When he pushed it open, her breath caught.

The sight before her was unlike anything she had ever seen.

The library stretched endlessly, bathed in moonlight that spilled through arched windows. Shelves towered high, filled with books bound in faded leather and gold. The faint scent of parchment and polished oak filled the air, and the flickering glow from the chandelier painted the room in shades of amber and silver.

For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

“Wow…” she whispered, awe softening her voice.

Damien’s lips quirked as he watched her eyes dart across the shelves. “Welcome to the library,” he said quietly, almost proud.

But her amazement didn’t last long. She turned to him, frowning. “Wait…I said I wanted to go to the study, not the library.”

Damien rolled his eyes, the corners of his lips twitching. “And you think I don’t know that? Have a little faith, Princess.”

She scowled. “Don’t call me that.”

He ignored her, heading deeper inside. “Come on.”

Alina followed, curiosity flickering despite herself. Her bare feet made no sound on the polished floor, and every step seemed to echo off centuries of history. When he finally stopped at the farthest corner, she watched him reach for a brass insignia carved into the wood of a tall shelf.

There was a soft click.

And then, to her disbelief, the bookshelf began to move, splitting apart noiselessly to reveal a narrow tunnel beyond, illuminated by faint amber lights.

Alina’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

Damien smirked. “Not bad for a boring old library, huh?”

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